• walks steadily, squats, throws, kicks
• uses whole body to play: carries, pulls, moves big toys
• likes to hug, kiss, and snuggle up close for a moment, then move on to more play
• says from 3 to 50 words; names objects around the house; asks for food, drink, and bath room; puts simple sentences of 2 or 3 words together ("See doggie!")
• drinks well from cup
• begins to favor either her right hand or left hand (if she scribbles with her left hand, don't try to change the crayon to her right hand, or vice versa. She may or may not change her preferred hand over the next few years, but it is important to let her preference develop naturally)

Your toddler may be disobedient on purpose now and may become quite a challenge! This is his way of testing limits. Many toddlers discover the power of biting and hitting at this age. These behaviors often happen when the toddler gets so frustrated in some activity that he loses self-control. Although such behavior should be corrected, it will decrease as your toddler learns to use words to express his feelings. A toddler who can say, "I don't want to do that!" is less likely to push or bite. Ask your child to come and find you when he gets frustrated and you will help him find a solution. Never hit or bite a child "to show them what it feels like." If your toddler is in child care, talk about this behavior with your childcare provider.

Your reaction to challenging behavior is exciting for your toddler to see. Patience and consistency in your rules and reactions are important. Try ignoring this stubborn behavior by walking away or getting involved in another activity. Reward cooperation with a "Thank you" or hug. Remember, your child wants to please you and gain positive recognition, so provide encouragement whenever you can.

Digging in a sand box (and often your flower pots) feels wonderful for toddler fingers. Moving sand from one place to another lets her learn about the feel of different materials. At this age, children are starting to understand physical properties. For example, a piece of wood is hard and does not change shape, but sand will sift, spill and pack down.

One way to explore new materials is to take a walk around your yard, the neighborhood or even indoors together. Look at all the different things you come across. Name them and talk about what they do. This also helps to increase your toddler's use of new words.

At this age, many toddlers enjoy riding toys they push with their feet. Big places to hide are popular, too. A big cardboard box with a wide opening or an empty cabinet or closet makes a great hiding place. (Be sure doors don't lock.) When your toddler hides, an exclamation of "Where is Laurie?" is likely to bring squeals of laughter and a door pushing open to reveal the "secret" hiding place.

Any time your toddler is not feeling well, a little extra attention often helps. Sitting together in your favorite chair with a book or just quiet conversation makes the pain more bearable. The satisfaction of being able to provide comfort is one of the joys of parenthood that you and your child will remember for a long time.

Now is the time to introduce a child's potty. Let your child sit on it and get comfortable in the bathroom. Talk about the process of elimination. You have probably already found words to describe urine and bowel movements that your toddler can understand and say.

Your toddler will benefit from a good model in the bathroom. Many parents willingly give up their privacy knowing that their child will learn from watching and talking about these natural body processes. Along with their fascination with what you are doing comes curiosity about the toilet, what is in it and how it works.

Many toddlers at one time or another remove their diapers and play with their bowel movement. Your may want to shriek with disgust. Try to remain calm but show your disapproval calmly but firmly.

Patience will help you and your toddler master toileting. Accidents will happen. If they happen a lot, try going back to diapers for awhile. Most toddlers continue to wear diapers at night after they have learned daytime control.

Trying to teach toileting before your toddler is physically ready will just be frustrating for you and her. Toilet learning has nothing to do with how smart your toddler is. Waiting till the time is right shows what a smart parent you are!

• a minimum of fasteners that frustrate little fingers. When zippers, snaps or buttons are necessary, the larger, the better. Nylon self-stick tape closures are especially easy.
• trim or design features that help your child tell the front from the back. Embroidered designs or a V-neck are examples.
• pockets that are large and easy to reach
• large neck openings and ample room
• elastic waistbands are easy to pull up, especially when toilet teaching is going on
• color-coordinated wardrobes so that many items go together

Your toddler may have preferences for certain colors or styles. Whenever possible, let your child choose the clothing that makes him feel best. Your one-year-old is probably wearing toddler sizes. These are designed for children who are still chubby in the middle and need extra room for diapers. Because children can grow and change sizes quickly, it is a good idea to measure height, weight, chest and waist before each shopping trip. Match your child's measurements to charts provided on packages or store displays. Keep in mind that fancy, expensive toddler outfits are cute but may get too small very quickly.

Next issue: Thumb sucking, outdoor play, and learning games!
Prepared by Don Bower, Extension Human Development Specialist, and reviewed by Mary Anne Pace-Nichols, Karen Shetterley, Katrina Bowers, Holly Alley, Judy Hibbs, Esther Maddux, and Cindy Darden.

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. For large print, taped or braille editions of this publication, contact the author.